Switch for traction-rails.



' No. 731,643. PATENTED JUNE 23, 1903.

HOWARD WILLIAMS & HENRY WILLIAMS. SWITCH EUR TEACTION RAILS.

.APPLIUTION FILED MAR. 25. 1903.

N0 MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET '1.

' No. 781,643. PATENTBD JUNE 23, 1903.

HOWARD WILLIAMS & HENRY WILLIAMS.

SWITCH FOR TRAGTIUN RAILS.

APPLICATION FILED MAB.. 25. 1903. N0 MODEL.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

,INVENTORY n: mms r-rrnns co., maremma.. wAsumcJoN n c No. 731,643. f`',PATLNTLD JUNE 23, 1903.

HOWARD WILLIAMS L HENRY WILLIAMS.

SWITCH FOR TRAGTION RAILS. APPLIoA'IIoN FILED MAB. z5. 1963.

N0 MODEL.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES r Patented June 23, 1903.

`PATENT FFICE.

SWITCH FOR TRACTIO N -RAI LS.

` SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N o. 731,643, dated June23, 1903.

v Application iled March 25, 1903. Serial No. 149,540. (No model.)

To CLZZ whom, it may con/cern:

Be it known that we, HOWARD WILLIAMs and HENRY WILLIAMS, citizens of theUnited States, residing at Murphysboro, in the county of Jackson, Stateof Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in`Switches for Traction-Rails, of which the following is a specification,reference being had therein to the'accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a switch for traction-rails, and isparticularly adapted for use In connection with a movable traction-rail`carrying means to be engaged by a driven member upon a carrier.

i sume a straight or curved line coincident with the track-rails withwhich it cooperates.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will behereinafter set forth and the novel features thereof defined by theappended claims.

In the drawings, Figure vl is a plan of the switch; Fig. 2, a sideelevation thereof; Fig. 3, a detail vertical section on the line 3 3 ofFig. l; Fig. 1I, a detail perspective of the adjoining ends of two ofthe sections of the track-rail; Fig. 5, avertical section upon the line5 5 of Fig. l. Fig. 6 is a plan similar to Fig. 1, with the movabletraction-rail removed; Fig7 ,a vertical section on theline 7 7 of Fig.6,

` and Fig. S a detail elevation of switch-stand.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures ofthe drawings. The letter A designates track-rails of any desiredconstruction and `constituting the main line, as shown in Fig. l, whileA A' indicate the rails of a switch-track approaching the main line upona curved line, one of which rails is provided with a throw-point A2, andone of the rails A of the main line is provided with a similar point A5.The parts described merely constitute the ordinary construction ofswitch, and the traction-rail B has its iixed sections disposed betweenthe track-rails, as

shown. This traction-rail is also provided with a movable portioncomprising independ= ent sections B', pivotally secured together by`bolts B2, passing through lugs B3, carried at the meeting ends of thesections. This, trac= tion-rail may be of any desired character, soconstructed as to be of sufficient flexibility to yield in the movementfrom one position to the other, and the present illustration merelydiscloses one form capable of this object. In this illustration thesections B' are composed of two parts B4, suitably secured together andcarrying between the same a metallic plate B5, suitably apertured toconstitute a rack for engagement with adriving gear or pinion carried bythe motorLcarriage. This rack -plate may be secured in position by meansof pins or projections B, extending in opposite directions therefrominto the timbers BfL of the sections. Each of the sections B is providedat their adjacent en ds with contactshoes B7, suitably secured theretoand provided with an upper aperture BS and a lower aperture B. The upperset of these apertures is adapted to receive a bolt B10, by which themovement of the shoes in one direction is limited, while anoperating-cable O passes through the lower apertures and is secured atthe end of the movable section by a suitable bracket O. This cable maybe of any desired material, preferably of wire rope, and extends atopposite sides of the movable sections of the traction-rail paralleltherewith and thence to a pivoted crank-arm O2, which is connected by arod O3 to a switch-lever O4, suitably pivoted at O5 in a stand C, whichmay be disposed upon either side of the track. From the extended end C7of the switch-lever a bar or rod C8 extends to the throw-rails A2 and A3for the purpose of operating the same simultaneously with the movementof the traction-rail. Each of the extended lengths of cable O may beprovided with a suitable turnbuckle O9 for adjusting the length thereofwhen found necessary.

The movable section of the traction-rail is adapted to be supportedabove the level of the trackrails so as to move over the same by anydesired meansfor instance, blocks D, suitably disposed between thetrack-rails in proper position to carry the weight of the movablesection-while at the free ends of the main and switch tracks asupporting-block l adapted to be operated by latched with its standtheD', behind which a hook D2, carried by the free end of the section, isadapted to engage, and thus hold the parts against longitudinal movementin. both of their positions. For the purpose of stopping the movablesection in proper alinement with the fixed traction-rails stops DLL arelikewise provided upon the fixed sections, against which the free end ofthe movable section abuts, and similar stops D5, Fig. l, areprovidedupon the track-rail supports in order to bear against themovable section at different points, and thus insure a proper alinementand curvature throughout the length thereof.

For the purpose of retaining the movablev section in position thetraction-rails upon both the switch an d main tracks are provided withlatches E of similar construction. These latches may be of any desiredform-for instance, a sliding bolt E', as herein shown, a crank-shaft E2,mounted in suitable bearings to extend beneath the rails, the arm E3 atone end of said shaft being connected to the bolt upon the traction-railof the switch-track by a rod E4, while a similar arm E5 is provided witha link E5 for connecting the bolt E of the traction rail upon the maintrack. The shaft E2 is also provided with an arm E7, extending in anopposite direction to the arms E3 and E5, to which an operating-rod E8is pivotally connected and extends to a crank-arm E, pivoted at one sideof the main track. For the purpose of normally throwing` the latchesthis operating-rod is provided with a spring F, surrounding the same andbearing at one end upon a iixed projection F', carried by the rod, andat its opposite end against a support F2, through which the rod passes.For the purpose of operating the crank-armE-g a connecting-rod lF3extends therefrom and is pivotally connected to the lower end of a leverF4, said lever being pivoted at its upper portion F5 to the switch-leverC4 and has extending' from its pivot an angle-arm F5, carrying a latchFT to cooperate with the switch-stand, and above the pivot F5 abell-crank lever F8 is pivoted to the switch-lever CL and connected withthe arm F6 by a link F, so that when the latch F7 is released from theswitch-stand F the tracklatches will also be retracted against thetension of the spring F.

In the operation of the invention it will be seen that the movement ofunlatchin g the switch lever simultaneously releases the latches for themovable traction-rail, which may the-n be shifted by the movement ofsaid lever, and as soon as the switch-lever is retension-springimmediately causes the bolts of the rail-latches to contact with therail and retain it in proper position. With the parts in the positionshown in Fig. l it will. be seen that a movement of the switch-leverwill, through tension upon the cable C at the right of the movablesection, move said section into alinement with the switch track andsimultaneously forth its merits, what shift the throw-points of theswitch. During this movement the sections of thetractionrail arepermitted sufficient oscillation to establish the curved line coincidentwith the switch-track rails, so as to insure a constant and completecontact with the traction-rail of the motor carried by the vehicle. Theinvention is adapted for use in any character of railway having atraction member adapted to be engaged by a rotative motive power upon avehicle for the purpose of driving the same upon a grade, but isespecially adapted for use in mines where the motive car is suppliedwith a gear or sprocket adapted to engage the rack carried by themovable section and Where it is desirable to shift the motor from oneentry to another, as these entries run at numerous angles from eachother. It will be observed that a complete traction-rail is provided ineither of its shifted positions and the necessity of a complicatedconstruction of traction-rail connections from each of the tracks isavoided and the traction-rail shifted simultaneously with the switch.

It will be obvious that changes may be made in the details ofconstruction and configuration without departing from the spirit of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

Having described our invention and set secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a device of the class described, trackrails having movables\vitel1points,iixed traction-rails disposed between the track-rails, amovable section of traction-rail, and means for simultaneously movingsaid movable section with the switch-points.

2. In a device of the class described, trackrails having movable switchpoints, fixed traction-rails disposed between the trackrails, a movablesection of traction-rail, means for simultaneouslymoving said movablesection with the switch-points,"and stops to limit the movement of saidmovable section in each direction.

3. In a device of the class described, a trackrail, a fixedtraction-rail disposed between the same, a switch-track, a movableportion of said traction-rail comprising independent sections pivotedtogether, and means for shifting said sections from one position toanother.

4. In a device of the class described, a trackrail, a fixedtraction-rail disposed between the same, a switch-track, a movableportion of said traction-rail comprising independent sections pivotedtogether, parallel cables ex` tending from the free end of said movableportion, and a switch -lever for operating said cables.

5. In a device of the class described, atrackrail, a fixed traction-raildisposed between the same, a switch-track, a movable portion ofsaidtraction-rail comprising independent sections pivoted together,parallel cables extending from the free end of said movable portion, aswitchlever for operating said we claim, and desire to IOO IIO

cables, oppositely disposed shoes upon the meeting ends of saidsections, and means for `limiting the movement of said shoes away fromeach other.

`6. In a device of the class described, a trackrail, a fixedtraction-rail disposed between the same, a switch-track, a movableportion of said traction-rail comprising independent sections pivotedtogether, parallel cables extending from the free end of said movableportion, a switch -lever for operating said cables, oppositely-disposedshoes upon the meeting ends of said sections, a bolt connecting saidshoes to permit a limited movement thereof, a fixed block beneath thefree end of said movable portion, and a hook carried by4 said portionadapted to engage behind said fixed block.

7. In a device of the class described, a movable traction-railcomprising opposite timbers, an apertured metallic plate secured betweenthe same, and projecting lugs at each end of said plate for pivotallysecuring adjacent plates together.

8. In a device of the class described, a movable traction-railcomprising opposite timi bers, an apertured metallic plate securedbetween the same, projecting lugs at each end Soc of said plate forpivotally securing adjacent plates together, and angular apertured shoessecured upon the opposite sides ofA adjacent ends of the sections ofsaid traction-rail.

9. In a device of the class described, main and switch track rails, amovable switchpoint for connecting the same, a fixed traction-railbetween said track-rails, a movable portion of traction-rail,operating-cables upon opposite sides of said movable portion, a

`pivoted crank-lever having the cables from opposite sides of themovable portion connected at opposite sides of its pivot, a switchleverconnected to said arm, and a throw-bar extending from said switch-leverto the throw-rails.

l0. In a device of the class described, main and switch track rails,fixed traction-rails disposed between the same, and a flexible movablesection of traction-rail' adapted to be shifted from a straight to acurved position.

1l. In a device of the class described, trackrails having movable switchpoints, fixed traction rails, disposed between the trackrails, a movablesection of traction-rail, a latch upon the track-rails for retaining thetraction-rail in position, means for primarily releasing said latch, andmeans for simultaneously moving said traction-rail and switchpoints.

12. In a device of the class described, trackrails, fixed traction-railsdisposed between the same, a movable section of traction-rail,

latches carried by the fixed traction-rails to engage said movablesection,V a spring for normally retaining said latches in a lockedposition, and an operating-rod for shifting said latches.

13. In a device of the class described, trackrails, fixed traction-railsdisposed between the same, a movable section of traction-rail, latchescarried by the fixed. traction-rails to engage said movable section, aspring for normally retaining said latches in a locked position, anoperating-rod for shifting said latches, a switch-lever connected tooperate said movable section, a latch upon said switchlever adapted toengage the stand thereof, and a connection between said operating-rodand switch-latch for shifting the former preliminarily to the movementof the switchlever.

11i. In a device of the class described, trackrails, fixedtraction-rails disposed between the same, a movable section oftraction-rail, latches upon the fixed traction-rails consisting ofsliding bolts adapted to engage the movable section, a crank-shafthaving arms connected to said latches and an arm extending in theopposite direction to the latch-arms, an operating-rod, a tension-springfor normally forcing said rod in one direction, a crank-arm for shiftingsaid rod in the opposite direction, and means for operating saidcrank-arm.

l5. Ina device of the class described, trackrails, fixed traction-railsdisposed between the same, a movable section of traction-rail, latchesupon the fixed traction-railsconsisting of sliding bolts adapted toengage the movable section, a crank-shaft having arms connected to saidlatches and an arm extending in the opposite direction to thelatch-arms, an operating-rod, a tension-spring for normally forcing saidrod in one direction, a crank-arm for shifting said rod in the oppositedirection, a crank-arm for oscillating the movable section, a switchlever and stand, a connection between said lever and the crankarm forthe movable section, a lever pivoted upon said switch and provided withan angularly-disposed arm, a switch-latch upon said arm, a bell-cranklever pivoted to said switchlever and connected to said arm, and aconnection extending from the lever pivoted upon the switch-lever to thecrank-arm for operating the rail-latches. In testimony whereof we' affixour signatures in presence of two witnesses.

I-IOWARD WILLIAMS. HENRY WILLIAMS.

Witnesses i ALEXANDER ROBERTSON, IRA ANDERSON.

